Post-Summer Stage Events

By
Erin

The curtain has just lifted on October, but I'm already focused on the shows taking the stage later this month. I'm excited about dazzling funereal processions and a Halloween-time "Monster." You can peruse my new round-up for a full list of recommendations, but there are a few special highlights this month.

There's always plenty of government drama to be found in Washington, but two theaters spruce up the stories in unique ways this month. Fans of David Rees's biting, ironic "Get Your War On" comic should rush to get tickets for the Rude Mechanicals' show at Woolly Mammoth. The cartoon comments on the war on terror and the Bush administration through subtly sardonic thoughts and exclamations. As an added bonus, Rees will be signing his books before the Friday and Saturday shows. The other show, Warehouse Theater's "The Insect Play," features various butterflies, ants and many-legged creatures debating their preferred forms of government.

Washington is lucky to host Cirque de Soleil's "Corteo" for a month at the former Washington Convention Center site. Alison Crawford, the show's artistic director, describes it as "whimsical," "touching" and "grandiose." Comprising 61 acrobats and artists, "Corteo" tells the story of a clown's imaginary funeral in the style of an old-fashioned circus with the stunts and costumes that characterize the company.

There is a lot taking the stage during this ghoulish month, but those are three that I'll make a special point to see. Which stage events are you most anticipating?